Women and Investing

Where men once dominated financial affairs, the growing presence of women in the workplace and as heads of households continues to be a paradigm shift. As women have taken more responsibility for their long-term goals and financial health, they have become a force to be reckoned with. We developed this guidebook as a resource for women who are seeking perspectives on how to take control of their financial lives. We hope you’ll share it with the women in your life.

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At CTS Financial Group, we focus on the overall financial health of our clients and helping these individuals meet their financial goals. With that focus in mind, we are excited to offer our clients on-point, educational content in our regular, in-person client meetings, along with offering it here, in the CTS Resource Center, for clients to read, watch and share as their own schedule permits.

Whether you have kids that are soon heading to college, or kids that are soon heading to pre-school, it is never too late – nor too soon – to be financially prepared for this important experience. We’ve compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answered them here.

For many investors, trading working years for retired years feels like the dream. And more and more, an early retirement is becoming a goal for the clients that we support. But let’s face it, retiring early is intimidating. Your savings will need to last longer and running out of money during retirement is simply not an option. We explore six critical steps that every investor should complete before considering early retirement.

Today, fewer than 25% of employees have a retirement pension. Social security is changing too, as the retirement age to receive full benefits rises. The next generation can’t simply rely on the system for retirement savings. While it may be challenging to save enough or even to save at all – addressing this need and tackling it sooner rather than later is an important step

While marijuana has been used for both recreational and medicinal purposes for thousands of years, recent centuries have seen a tumultuous turn in the plant’s legality and history. From prohibition in the 1930s to slow legalization across some states, cannabis has remained a hot topic of controversy. Our article speaks to the investor’s perspective – examining some of the Exchange Traded Cannabis Funds that exist today and eyeing cannabis as a legitimate investment opportunity.

The SEP IRA is a topic with many questions in our practice. This piece provides a quick visual overview of the benefits, limits and deadlines for this retirement vehicle designed for self-employed individuals and small business owners to help you simplify, calendar and plan.

Trying to choose between a health savings account (HSA) and a flexible spending account (FSA) can be enough to make your eyes glaze over. In some ways, these accounts are very similar. Both allow you to contribute tax-free to save for medical costs. In other ways, they’re very different. With several key differences between these accounts, it literally pays to get this decision right. Grab a copy of our guide to learn more about the important nuances between these two accounts.

Whether tax season is fast approaching or in the rearview mirror, it’s always nice to have a few ideas to help manage and plan your financial life. We’ve curated a few of our favorite apps and life hacks that can help you get and stay organized.

The average American will have 11.9 jobs by the time they are 50 years old. Often, in their wake, lives a group of smaller, legacy retirement plan accounts at a variety of previous employers. Are you allowing these assets to go unmanaged? Interested in more effectively managing your investments across multiple accounts?

While cryptocurrency continues to maintain a strong presence in daily news headlines, the underlying technology of digital currency – blockchain – may actually be the one to watch. We created an infographic on blockchain to illustrate our thoughts on where you may see blockchain in the future.

Choosing a financial advisor may be one of the most important financial decisions that you’ll ever make. Whether you are investing for retirement, planning an estate, or developing a tax strategy, we think having the right advisor relationship in place is crucial. So, how do you select the person or team whose advice could heavily influence your long-term financial success?

Urban exploration is the documentation of abandoned man-made structures and the not-usually-seen components of the man-made environment. Digital images and traditional film allow us to stop time, preserve a piece of history and memorialize a way of life – before demolition, erosion and looting take their toll. Fascinated by history and an urban explorer for most of his adult life, CTS’ Jonathon Much shares with us some of his most beautiful and haunting photographic work from the Chicagoland area.

While volatility and market corrections are normal, they can be very uncomfortable for investors – investors looking to prevent losses to what they have worked hard to save. We believe that active management is a better way to preserve your assets during these times of heightened market volatility.

With college debt at an all-time high and first jobs challenging to find, you may be wondering about the ROI of a college education. If college possibly lies in your future or the future of someone you love, it’s important to start the planning process as soon as possible.

With their first string QB out for the season, the big question was could the Eagles take the heat from the Patriots during Super Bowl LII? The answer was a resounding, “Yes.” For us, an even bigger question was, “which awesome commercials would run during this match-up?” We put together a video of our all-time favorites to commemorate the occasion. Watch today.

We support a holistic approach to wellness, from financial fitness to physical and mental health. With its rich culture and diversity, Chicago is the perfect place to get out and explore. Here are six ways to enjoy an active lifestyle in our dynamic city.

Success in life is about more than amassing wealth. It’s about the conscious legacy you leave behind for your loved ones, community, and society. We created this special article to share what we believe are some of the financial and social benefits of a proactive approach to philanthropy.

Are we experiencing a rise of the machines or an opportunity for a relationship renaissance? When it comes to robo-advisors, we believe in forward-thinking technology but not at the expense of hands-on research and face-to-face interaction. Get our take on the movement, and why we believe you deserve more than just automation.

We are inspired by the advertising industry and its impact on American culture. We throw our hat in the ring with a list of what we feel are the best advertisements of all time. Got milk? Mean Joe Green? Allstate mayhem? They’re all in there. Enjoy the nostalgia!

With over 70% of people over the age of 65 years old requiring long term care services at some point in their lifetimes, Long Term Care Insurance (LTCI) may be an important part of your retirement plan. Learn more about how LTCI may help you achieve peace of mind.

Retirement for Gen X and Gen Y will look very different than it does for the Baby Boomers. Pension plans and other traditional benefits that will likely be replaced with personal savings and investments. This makes financial planning more important than ever. Grab a copy of our report.

Chicago has a rich history of innovation and imagination, highlighted by the city’s historically strong advertising industry. Take a look at the industry’s deep roots and impact on our city’s cultural fabric.

Social Security can offer an important source of guaranteed income, and you want to feel confident when choosing the right claiming strategy under the new Social Security regulations. Our tip sheet can help you create a personalized, social security strategy that can help you reach your overall financial goals.

Win or lose, CTS Financial is all in for the Blackhawks. We love rooting for the team and we are grateful for the lessons we’ve learned from the team – both personally and professionally. Can you say perseverance?

We believe that increasing your wealth over time is about more than making the right stock picks. The effects of fear, greed, and lack of discipline can work against the best intentions of saving for the future. Download a copy of the Six Principles of Long Term Investing now.